How High The Moon in La#

How High The Moon in La#

How High The Moon in A# — the bebop standard that spawned "Ornithology," with ii-V-I patterns cycling through contrasting key centers. Bebop Major on the tonic, Dorian and Mixolydian through the modulatory passage. Changes: A#Maj7 – A#m7 – D#7 – G#Maj7 – G#m7 – C#7 – F#Maj7 – Cm7b5 – F7b9 – F7 – Cm7 – Dm7.

How High The Moon in La#

A# (Bb) major requires barre chords rooted at fret 1 on the A string or fret 6 on the E string. Despite the barre demands, it is a common key in funk, New Orleans R&B, and brass band music. The open D string can ring as the major third for added color. A# is a intermediate-level key on guitar because the open D string is the major 3rd of Bb, adding a bright color if allowed to ring. Expect to rely on barre chords throughout, which builds hand strength and unlocks the entire fretboard.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to G# (ascending unison), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to C (ascending tritone), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to F (ascending unison), F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to D (ascending whole step). The root motion by larger intervals (fourths and fifths) gives each chord change a strong, decisive character. When the progression loops, the bass returns from D to A# by major third.

Scales for Improvisation

A# major pentatonic works because every note is either a chord tone or a safe passing tone — there are no avoid notes. For soloing, this means you can play freely without clashing. Over dominant seventh chords, A# Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.